Fate/Grand Order story · Interludes, Interlude
Dear Ancestor!
Interlude. Interlude
2 scenes, 238 lines
1. Before the battle
218 lines
!!!
(Master, Master!)
(Look, over there! Can you believe it!? That's Lord Hektor!)
(This is amazing! Lord Hektor is an absolute legend!)
(He's one of the great heroes of the Trojan War, and one of the Nine Worthies spoken about in hushed tones throughout all of history!)
(He's also my and Ruggiero's ancestor! Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh...)
(All this time I've been here, and I still haven't introduced myself properly... Oh gosh!)
It's okay. Just try to relax.
(Exhale)... (Inhale)...
(Exhaaaleee)... Okay, I'm feeling a little calmer now!
Thank you, Master. This is the perfect chance to talk to him. I can't let it go to waste.
Why not go rectify that now?
!
...Okay, Master. If you think that's a good idea, then that's just what I'll do.
？！
Here goes nothing!
U-um, excuse me!
Hm?
Y-you there, the one with the shining helmet! Are you Lord Hektor, the great hero of the Trojan War!?
Hmm...
I don't know about the "great hero" part, but if you're looking for Hektor of Troy, you've found him.
So what's up, little Bradamante? What can your old ancestor here do for you?
Well, you see, um...
I still haven't introduced myself properly since coming to Chaldea, so, um, I wanted to rectify that.
It's a pleasure to meet you in person, Lord Hektor!
Hey, thanks. Pleasure's all mine.
Um, I was also wondering if, maybe...
Yes?
I-if you wouldn't mind, um, maybe...you'd like to join Master and me...
...for tea!? Or some other beverage!?
Tea, huh? Hmm... Well, it's not like I don't have time, but...
(Honestly, I don't think we'd have all that much to talk about. But I can also see Master standing behind her with his hands clasped together begging me to say yes, so...)
Sure, why not? Nothing wrong with the occasional cup of tea, especially for happy occasions.
'Course, we didn't have tea back in this old man's time, so drinking was pretty synonymous with alcohol.
Alcohol lasts forever, and it's high in nutrients, too. Plus, not every area has plenty of clean, fresh water to go around, you know?
Right! That's how the Kingdom of the Franks used to be! Well, really...
Didn't that pretty much used to be the case everywhere?
Yes, that's what I've been told!
So alcohol wasn't always a luxury good then.
So that's how it was back in the Kingdom of the Franks too, huh. So, does that mean you didn't have tea parties back in your time, either?
That's right! We didn't!
I see. (So why do you seem so happy about that?)
I occasionally got to enjoy Chinese tea whenever I'd meet with Lady Angelica of Cathay...
...but we never had any cultural traditions surrounding tea of our own!
Back then, tea ceremonies and parties and whatnot were still very limited to the East.
Tea didn't become a cultural fixture in Europe until... Hmm, let me think...
I think Holland was the country that popularized green tea...
...and the British Empire did the same for black tea relatively recently.
That's right!
Back when I was alive, it was known far and wide as the prosperous Kingdom of England.
It's also where StolfoI mean, Astolfo, one of the Twelve Paladins, was born.
That Rider with the pink hair, huh? Well, whaddaya know.
In fact, he's actually a prince to England's royal family, though most of us tend to forget that, including him.
No kidding! A prince so scatterbrained he even forgets he's a prince, huh? Hahaha, that's priceless!
I know a scatterbrained prince myself, but it sounds like that one handily takes the cake, amazingly.
Something tells me we'd get along nicely.
A cold, is it? Well that won't do at all, Paris.
You might need to get a shot. Come with me so I can take a look at you.
Aw maaan...
The Kingdom of England, aka the British Empire from the Isles of Britannia, huh.
Wait. Aren't the Isles of Britannia where
...Yes.
Britain is the island where Prince Aeneas of Troy's descendants ended up settling down.
And it's where they went on to found the glorious Kingdom of Britain.
But a few hundred years later...
...the last king of Britain, Arthur Pendragon, King of Knights, lost his final battle...
...and after the Saxons migrated, the Kingdom of Britain
That was when the last vestiges of Trojan lineage vanished from the face of the Earth. Right?
... ...
Well hey, what do they say in the East? Land outlasts kingdoms?
Just because a nation is gone doesn't mean its people disappear. Not to mention its land, oceans, and rivers all stick around, too.
It's no different with feelings. Losing a war sucks, but it doesn't mean everything's gone forever.
Like, say...
？！
Bradamante and Ruggiero.
？！
...Hey, yeah!
There you go. Troy might've lost spectacularly and faded away, but you're still here.
And just look at how well you and this old man's other descendants turned out.
I'm relieved, really. It feels good to see your blood, sweat, and tears still be around in later generations.
Really, when you think about it, what would it say about us if we let a little war or two eradicate us completely?
That's it. I can tell you grew up strong, little Bradamante.
...That being said.
All of that goes out the window when we're talking about all of humanity possibly being destroyed.
Man, as if dealing with a single nation going away wasn't enough of a pain in the neck.
You're right!
We can't let anyone bleach all of human life away! We have to restore humanity, no matter what!
... ...
...Oh gosh, that conversation between Sir Hektor and Lady Bradamante I happened to overhear was so inspiring!
Now what am I going to do?
Jack shit, that's what.
You shoulda just kept on walkin', but instead, you had to stop and hide like some kinda idiot.
Don't call me an idiot!
I'll call you whatever the hell I want, idiot!
Can't you tell I'm trying to be considerate and not interrupt their conversation!?
Also! Doesn't Lady Bradamante...
...remind you of me?
...You think?
I can just tell she's a really hard worker, you know?
And Sir Lancelot, hehe, has praised me directly for my work ethic! More than once, even!
So we're basically two peas in a pod!
Haaa? (Special Translation: You really think so?)
Hm? Something wrong?
I sensed somebody watching us!
Eh, now that you mention it, I can feel a few eyes on us. Ah well, it's probably just some of our Chaldea compatriots, so I don't think it's anything to
You! Are you watching us?!
Yes, you! Don't bother trying to hide! Come on out where we can see you!
Oh, uh...
I wasn't trying to hide, I promise. I was just kinda...stuck. ('Cause it was too awkward to go out.)
But I don't want to give you the wrong impression, so... I'm sorry.
I know you! You're Mandricardo!
Is that so.
...!
Hm?
I-I... Um... H-hey.
I, uh, I really wasn't trying to eavesdrop, I promise. I just happened to pass by, that's all.
...
... ...
...Uh, yeah, so.
I've got, uh, you know, training and stuff, so... I'll get out of your hair now.
... ...
...
Um... Can I ask you something?
Of course!
Why're you following me? I was planning on training alone today (read: like always), so...
...Are you sure?
I'm sure.
I'm only here 'cause Bradamante and Master grabbed my hands and dragged me here, by the way.
(Gasp) I-I-I-I'm so sorry, Lord Hektor! I wasn't even thinking!
I was just so anxious, and you're just so f-fatherly that I grabbed your hand without realizing.
Hey, I get it. That kind of thing just happens sometimes.
So, anxious, huh? I didn't know you cared about Mandricardo that much.
What is it, Bradamante?
You know, you do seem kind of...fixated on Mandricardo.
Do you two know each other or something?
Weren't you guys enemies when you were alive?
？！
Yes, we did.
King Mandricardo of the Tatars is the son of King Agrican, who was killed by the de facto leader of the Twelve Paladins, Roland!
He came across Lord Hektor's shield and armor over the course of his travels, and then tried to get his hands on the legendary sword Durendal...
...so that he could complete one of the Nine Worthies' armor sets and go after Roland, holder of said sword, to avenge his father's death!
In short, he's the paladins' sworn enemy! Which is why I...!
... ...
Sworn enemy? Really?
C'mon, that was a long time ago, right? Not to mention it was back when you were both still alive.
Now you're both Servantsshadows of humanity sworn to serve the same Master.
Do you really need to bring old quarrels into Chaldea, especially after they've long been dead and buried?
(Gasp of realization)
Y-you're right... It's just as you say, Lord Hektor!
I'm so sorry, King Mandricardo. I was way out of line. I hope you can forgive my foolish behavior.
Uh, it's okay. Don't worry about it.
Of course you're not our sworn enemy.
Our only sworn enemies are Morgan the Witch, Great King Agramante, and Demogorgon the Demon God!
What you are, King Mandricardo, is...
Yeah...?
Our rival!
You were the powerful warrior king who went toe to toe with both Ruggiero and Roland!
You were a fearsome rival in every sense of the word, and I owe you an apology for ever insinuating otherwise!
(Heartily nod in assent)
I-I, uh... I'm not really sure what you're going on about, but...
S-so you consider me your rival, huh? Well, thanks. That's nice of you.
Once again, I ask that you please forgive my foolish behavior, King Mandricardo!
If there is anything I can do to make it up to you, anything at all, please don't hesitate to let me know!
...Uh, that's okay.
Really, you don't have to worry about it. It's fine.
(At this point, I just wanna hurry up and get back to my room already...)
Having you apologize all over the top and formal like this is honestly weirding me out more, so... Let's just let bygones be bygones, all right?
... ...
(D-damn, talk about a radiant smile...)
So you forgive me!!!?
Oh thank you, King Mandricardo! I had no idea you were such a kind and magnanimous man.
If only Ruggiero had had a chance to get to know you, I'm sure he would have also
I see how it is!
Hm? Isn't that
Who goes there!?
Yesterday's enemy!
Is today's friend!
That's just what's going on here, right? What a wonderful expression!
Gareth!
That's right! It's me, Gareth!
Uh-oh. If you're here in full armor, does that mean
Hehehehe, your instincts are spot on, Master.
？！
Thanks to a series of increasingly unlikely coincidences, I heard everything while I was passing by! Just sit back and leave this all to me!
Uh, there's really nothing to leave, since we're not arguing anymore...
Lady Bradamante...in the spirit of deepening our friendship, what would you say to a lancing duel!?
Uh, I really don't think there's any need to go to that kind of trou
!!!
That...
...sounds like a wonderful idea! Would you be willing to join us, King Mandricardo!?
I would love to try sparring with you and Lady Gareth!
N-nah, I'm good... (Glance)
(Glance)
(Glance)
Why're you all looking at me!?
Don't worry about me. You're all young and full of pep, so go ahead and act like it.
I'll just be over here watching from the side
(Lord Hektor!?)
(The great hero of Troy!?)
(Lord Hektor, one of the Nine Worthies... is going to watch me!?)
I don't have a lance, but will a wooden sword do!?
Of course!
Certainly!
Master! I know this is short notice, but would you be so kind as to lend me your aid!?
You got it!
Gareth and Mandricardo vs. Bradamante and me, huh? Let's do it!
2. After the battle
20 lines...And, that was how it went.
After they finished working up a good sweat in the simulated training battle...
...the youngsters all went on to take a tea break together, or so I'm told.
As for this old man, just listening in on their conversation is enough for me.
Turns out, there's something kind of nice about your descendants laughing and having fun with new friends.
Even a twisted, scruffy old man like me can't help but crack a smile.
Lord Hektor!
What are you doing over there in the corner? Come join us! Everyone's dying to talk to you!
Come on, over here!
Go on, Hektor. It'll make their day.
It's too soon for you to think about retiring just yet, Hektor!
!!!
J-j-j-just a moment! Y-y-y-you mean you were friends with Aias the Great, Lord Hektor!?
Oh my gosh! Then we need to get King Iskandar and Alexander down here, too!
Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh!